Decision makers

Reconsider disciplining Jeff Gaglio

Detroit paramedic is being punished, and the reason behind it may surprise you — it was, he claims, for giving a cold man a blanket.

The paramedic punished is Jeff Gaglio, and he says that he has to answer officially via departmental channels for the crime of wanting a man to not freeze in the cold. Gaglio has spoken out to local press about the incident, and is just as incredulous as you or I might be if the allegations he’s making turn out to be accurate.

“I’m being punished. I’m being punished for giving a man a blanket, something that would seem like a common, every day courtesy. Something that any man or woman would do in the City of Detroit, give a freezing man a blanket. I’m being punished for it.”

MyFoxDetroit asked who punished the paramedic, and Gaglio said:

“The chief of EMS Jerald James.”

James gave a statement on the paramedic punished for the blanket transgression, and the station explains that the blanket given to the man was not even purchased by the department — it was a donation for victims of house fires.

James explains why the paramedic is being punished:

“We can’t have an employee who feels that they have a right to give away state property, be it donated, be it a blanket, be it a tire off a vehicle, without getting prior approval from somebody or notifying the proper authority. This is what he did.”

So it would appear the paramedic was indeed punished for giving a blanket to a cold man, and that his story checks out as per EMS brass in Detroit. Do you think the punishment for giving a needy man a blanket fits the crime?

The Emergency Medical Services Division of the Detroit Fire Department shall provide the highest level of pre-hospital care to the citizens, visitors, and stakeholders of the City of Detroit.

The service shall be committed to providing twenty-four (24) hour efficient, effective treatment and transport of the sick and injured, while providing basic and advanced life-support care and transportation to definitive and/or specialized care facilities, with service based on equal availability to all persons.

With an emphasis on safety, competency and compassion, we are dedicated to providing excellence in emergency medical care to those we serve.

This petition was delivered to:

City of Detroit Chief of EMSJerald James

Letter to

City of Detroit Chief of EMSJerald James

Reconsider disciplining Jeff Gaglio

The example the chief setting is, "If you do the right thing you can be punished". Please set a humane example to the rest of the world.